five on friday

{one}

In a week, I will be waking up with only one baby in the house. Camp Grammy and Papa is happening with Gideon and Nolan for a few days and the thought of getting to sleep in and only have Lincoln is exciting (and a little sad, but exciting). Sleep in, you say? With a baby? Yes! Lincoln is a sleep-in-babe. Takes after his mama.

{two}

Lincoln is starting to get in the drool-fest, wet onesie stage. It's so cute to watch him blowing bubbles, but the wet clothes is no fun. I love these bandana bibs by Finn and Emma. They are so soft and 100% organic cotton. The snaps are also lead and nickel free. I was drawn in by the arrows and if you've seen his nursery you'll know why. They also make adorable clothes and wooden teethers (hallelujah, amen).

{three}

We are trucking along on our summer bucket list. Gideon wakes up every day and asks what we are doing off the list that day. He has a few favorites that he keeps begging to do, but I need adult back-up in order to make it happen. So far we have seen Cars 3, done s'mores, sparklers, the beach, and frozen yogurt. He's been patiently waiting for camping, but we have had so much rain that it hasn't worked out yet. Fingers crossed for sometime soon.

{four}

I'm ready for fall. I said it. I can't take the 96 degree days and humidity that melts my face off anymore. I don't thrive in this weather. We've been finding indoor activities like Chick-fil-A for lunch and to play in their play place. Also, I told Taylor I am ready for it to not be light at 6 am and 9 pm. But, that's probably just because I have young kids who rationalize the need to be awake because it's light outside. Go back to bed, kid.

{five}

It's no secret that I think and plan ahead. I may or may not have already started planning Halloween costumes and Lincoln's first birthday party. I can't help it. But, it can come in handy. This week I started thinking about fall/winter clothes for the boys and remembered that both Gideon and Nolan are going to need a new jacket. I checked Columbia's website and found them each a fleece for winter for less than $13 each. Boom.


*Finn and Emma provided the bibs, teether, and a romper to us. This is my real and genuine opinion of the product. 

Five on Friday

This morning he pulled up my shirt, laid his head down and began talking to his brother.  

1. We are taking off on Sunday to head to my parents house for an entire week.  A whole week, you guys.  We couldn't be more excited to spend some down time together and bonus of free grandparent babysitting.  Then to cap it off with Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) and non-stop eating.

2. My mom always knows the way to my heart. Last weekend she showed up with a house warming present that included a Bath and Body Works candle (Cranberry Woods, heaven!) and two of their Christmas scented foaming hand soaps.  I love those type of things, but never think to buy them for myself.

3. The other night at church, I found Gideon in the nursery room with one of the baby dolls.  He was rocking her, burping her and trying to get her to drink out of his sippy cup.  Mama puddle on the floor.  He is going to rock this big brother gig.

4. Two weeks from today, I will have a two year old.  Holy smokes.  He has been singing "happy birthday" all week and practicing blowing out candles (not real ones, I'm not crazy).

5. On a sad Friday note, my parents are having to put down our cat today.  After over a year of him puking all over their house, the vet has discovered that he has leukemia.  He has not improved with meds and has lost a ton of weight and seemed miserable.  I know it's best, but darn it, they are a part of the family.  I remember the day in seventh grade that my parents brought him home.  I'll miss you Titus!

Five on Friday

We are clearly expert carvers

1. Boo!  Happy Halloween.  We are excited about trick or treating tonight and the tad bit cooler weather we are getting for it.  Much better than the ninety degrees last year.  Also, I'm excited that after today, Gideon can no longer watch the Curious George Halloween Boo Fest, as he has watched it a dozen (or much more) times in the past month and promptly asks for it any chance he can get.  I could quote it for you.

2. We are in our house.  As in everything is in the house, nothing left in the apartment and now we work on finding places for everything, but holy space!  It was our smoothest move yet, thanks to our awesome friends and we couldn't be happier with it (especially the his and her closets!).

3. Taylor turned the big 2-7 this week.  Ok, twenty seven is a pretty insignificant birthday especially if you ask him.  He hates making a big deal out of his birthday, but I can't let him have his way so we met up with a bunch of friends for some Mongolian food and finished the night with a giant brownie cupcake with sparkler candles.  Gideon also picked out a Batman balloon for him.  He knows his audience well.

4. I was telling Taylor today, that I think this next baby boy is a patient and gentle one.  Unlike Gideon, who kicked me non-stop while I was pregnant, this one likes to wait until I'm sitting still and relaxing before saying "hi."

5. Is it too early to start talking about Thanksgiving?  Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, potatoes, pumpkin pie....Ok, too early.  I'll wait until tomorrow.

Five on Friday

1. First, baby and toddler Chuck's are the cutest, am I right?  I would be perfectly happy to buy Gideon a pair in every size until, well, forever.  But, also glad my sister had two boys and has a plethora of awesome things like these size 6 ones.

2. Today, I got on Instagram and saw that my sister and I both won a Jo Totes camera bag from a giveaway that we had tagged each other in. I've been wanting a camera bag and just couldn't bring myself to take the plunge.  Hello, best day ever to get on Instagram.

3. After nap, I usually leave Gideon in his crib for a few minutes to make sure he is fully awake and semi-happy before getting him out.  Today, I heard him yelling from his crib, "ELLMOOO, I wove you."  His Elmo stuffed animal had fallen out of the crib and I guess he felt the need to reassure him that he did, indeed, love him.

4. I get to eat chili tonight.  I get to eat chili tonight with a bunch of awesome friends.

5. In two weeks, we will know if this in utero-baby is another boy or a lady-baby.  My belly is fluttering with excitement.  Or maybe that's the unceasing kicks that have started.  Blue or pink?  Place your votes.

Five on Friday

We drove around looking for these fields we had heard about with tons and tons of sunflowers.  We found them, but sadly the heat had taken the gusto out of the flowers.

1. Surprise! I'm not dead. I blame heat and just another week of solo parenting while Taylor was out of town for my lack of involvement here.  And entertaining a toddler by yourself is the stuff of nightmares.  24/7 is hard.  No more solo traveling or parenting again.

2. My mom and sister drove down Wednesday night and are staying through today and it has helped so much to have extra hands plus we had a ton of fun.  Grammy and Auntie are just way more fun than Mama according to Gideon.  He has been thrilled since they got here.

3. My birthday present from Taylor F I N A L L Y arrived last week.  You know, just two and a half months late, but so worth it.  He got me this camera strap from Bloom Theory.  I love it.  Great quality and so beautiful.  So if you are in the need of some neck gear for your camera, check them out.

4.  Gideon's growth has been amazing me lately.  Maybe I should say his mental growth because he has always been stocky.  He will say or do something and I'm in disbelief that he thought to do or say it on his own.  It is beyond crazy how fast they develop.

5. I think I'll take a nap now.

Five on Friday

1. I've been solo parenting all week while Taylor was away with his students at camp.  I'm exhausted and have mad kudos for all the single parents out there or those with spouses deployed.  No idea how you do it.  I struggled to get a shower each day and ended up napping during Gideon's nap because I was JUST. SO. TIRED.  I'm beyond glad it is Friday and Taylor is en route home.

2. Today was ChickfilA appreciation day.  So, basically dress like a cow and get free food.  I'm so tired of making every meal so the chance to have it made for me and for free, DONE!  Isn't Gideon the cutest little calf?  He enjoyed it, especially watching the big ChickfilA cow walking around.  But, no mama, don't take him too close to him.

3. This morning, Gideon and I headed over to visit one of our friends and her one month old baby girl, Payton.  While Carrie was burping Payton, Gideon climbed on the couch and started patting her back, too.  Holy melt me to the floor.

4. We have four new teeth trying to come through at the same time.  No need to elaborate.

5. Anyone else love guacamole? Sometimes I lay in bed thinking about how good some guac would be RIGHT THEN.  It's hard to always go find the good stuff, but a fast substitute is the Dean's guacamole dip found at the store by the Dean's french onion dip.  It's an awesome stand in and a little sad how much I think about it.

Five on Friday

1. Gideon and I are currently on our way to Charlotte to fly out tomorrow morning to visit family in Minnesota.  I'm so excited to take him this year because he will actually get to interact with it all instead of just using me as a milk pump and refusing to nap like last time.  We are sad to not have Taylor with us though.

2. I picked Gideon up from nursery last week and the teacher made a point to tell me that he really loves tattoos and talks about them non-stop. Enter blooming cheeks of red.  I can't decide if this is a parenting "win" or an uh-oh.

3. Is anyone else a "panic-packer?" I've dubbed myself one.  Regardless of being organized and creating a list, I will get it all packed and then start panicking about "what if" scenarios of freak weather or mind-changing or OMG, there is extra room in my bag, which means I begin grabbing tons of extra things and packing them in.  And at the end of the trip a majority of it wasn't used because who needs a silk shirt on a Minnesota farm?  Apparently, I do.  You never know.

4. Several weeks ago, for Mother's Day, Taylor got me a tiny gold necklace with a lowercase "g" on it. I love it and wear it almost daily.  I thought I would share the Etsy shop it came from because I think the prices are great and the jewelry is gorgeous.  So check out Tom Design shop.

5. Is anyone else stoked for the 4th of July coming up so soon?  I know the pools and beaches around here will be crowded, but I am pumped to stuff myself with hot dogs, watermelon, and s'mores.  I am hoping that Gideon will take a later than normal nap so that he can stay up through fireworks.  He will think the world of them.

Five on Friday | Gideon edition

1.  The problem with the 18 month well-check is that they know what is coming.  And then they try to escape.  Gideon pleaded the entire time to go "ousi pease."  He knew.  But, on the high note, done with shots until four years old.  Amen (Additionally, my child will never be four.  He will be two forever, right?)

2. Those thighs up there plus the rest of him weigh in at 26.5 pounds.  And he is finally starting to show his genes and grew to 32.5 inches.  And that noggin'  stayed right at 19 so he is no longer a furby.

3. Language has EX-PLO-DED in the past month.  Repeats everyone's name a million times.  Heck, repeats everything we say.  Some fun new words include tattoo (parenting win), trucks, spaghetti, noodles (this one might be my favorite), pool, waves, Bible (in a very country accent), toes and I could go on and on with this list.

4. Gideon is very interested in the potty.  I feel like I'm five when I say that.  Potty.  He likes to make my bathroom visits a little date and joins me to stare and point at the toilet to remind me that I'm going "pee pee."  Then he flushes. And flushes.  And flushes.  Bonus points for consistency and follow through.  But seriously, anytime he sees a toilet he points it out.  I'm not ready for potty training and I don't think he is ready either, but I will encourage the potty talk to get him me comfortable.

5. He's growing up on us.  Several times a day, Gideon grabs a little plush treasure chest he has, flings it over his arm, comes and gives us kisses and walks to the door saying "byyyyye" like he is headed to work with his briefcase.  It's beyond cute, but at the same time, I know one day he will be packing a bag, kissing us bye and heading out that door.  Holy emotional-mom-moment, guys.  Sorry.  Got carried away there.

Five on Friday

1. Today is the last day of our vacation.  Boo, hiss.  It has been the best vacation postpartum.  As in, our kid is not attached to me for sustenance and we have calmed the heck down as parents.  He has slept amazing, we have slept amazing.  And sleep heals all, am I right?

2. At graduation last week, I started thinking about how Gideon's name will sound when he graduates and walks across the stage.  It made me happy with our choice.  He may not feel the same.

3. I turned 26 a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know how that one escaped the ol' blog, but as Taylor would say, I'm on the downside to 30.  I don't mind aging (usually because I'm the youngest of those we are around anyways).  Still breathing and somewhat in shape so all is good.

4. Gideon met a girl.  I didn't think it would happen this early in life.  It was a summer romance on the pier.  And he kissed her.  It was actually really cute.  Maybe because I knew he was still coming home with me and I would get the last kiss of the night.  Moms and boys.  Nothing like it.

5. I got this Nikon lens with some birthday money and it might be the best purchase I've ever made.  Having a wide aperture lens makes photos so much brighter and allows for shooting in low light situations like inside, which is where I am a majority of the time with my boy.  If you are looking for a good lens, I approve.

Five on Friday

1. I have decided to sign Taylor up to go on the Wheel of Fortune.  Us senior citizens watched it last night and he solved every puzzle before the contestants and then hurled insults at them when they got greedy and spun instead of solving.  I'll pimp him out for a few thousand dollars and maybe a car, wouldn't you?

2. I'm not sure what happened this week, maybe I got sprinkled with pixie dust or something, but the crafty bug hit and I have been DIY-ing up a storm for a friend's baby shower next week.  Hey Martha Stewart, where did you come from? (minus the criminal background, of course). I promise to share photos.

3. My kid put his hand down his diaper the other day and came out with gold, which he then managed to get on Taylor's face.  Mama laughed.  And laughed.

4. We started the Q & A a day journal at the beginning of the year and are still going strong. Sometimes we miss a few days and have to catch up, but we still enjoy doing it and reading each other's responses.  Hopefully we will overcome all laziness and slacking and truly finish for the full three years.

5. It's been four years since I graduated college.  How did that happen?  I felt like high school would never end, didn't want college to, and now we are four years from it all.

Five on Friday

1.  We spent this morning down by the waterfront, exploring replicas of the Nina and Pinta, eating blueberry scones, running wild and free in the grass and photo-boothing (I just made that a verb).  Toddlers in a photo-booth.  Very enthused, clearly. We need to work on facial expressions. 

2. Gideon is in an anti-diaper changing phase.  So, anytime he sees us get a diaper out, he runs into his room and dives into his ball pit.  It might be my favorite thing he does right now.  

3. I'm digging this age because we can start telling Gideon things to do and he listens (not always).  Throwing things in the trash is a new favorite and it actually helps a lot.  Now, if only he could vacuum, scrub the showers, and massage my feet.

4. Shorts.  I've never been a big shorts-wearing girl.  I bought some jorts (dear Lord) this year and am in love with them.  I also am resigned to the fact that it is too freaking hot down here to not wear shorts all summer.  So, bring on the shopping and coupons.  It might even get so hot that I lose the shorts.  Who knows?

5.  Amazon Prime.  Have you used this?  We got it for free because Taylor is still in school.  I'll take the perk.  But seriously.  I ordered a book for Gideon's Easter basket one evening and literally the next afternoon (not even late afternoon, like noon-ish) the UPS guy was knocking on my door with it.  Mind blown.

Five on Friday

1. Motherhood is hard.  Parenthood is hard.  We are somewhat in the trenches of toddler-ness (I made that term up, but it entails tantrums and disobedience and all sorts of falafel) and it makes me weary and makes me question my ability to mother and parent.  It hit me hard yesterday and I silently wiped tears while attempting to hold strong. It is worth it and that redeems it every time.

2. I can't seem to stop watching this video.  It's so beautiful and well made and the emotion and joy in it makes me cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  How awesome to have this captured in this way?

3. My breakfast lately has consisted of a hardboiled egg, fat-free yogurt with granola and a tumbler of water.  It has been filling and I have so much energy lately.  We aren't going overboard on the "eating clean" train, as in beating ourselves up about every little thing, but we are being more aware of what we are making for meals and what we are buying.

4. Often, Gideon will say "hi mama" and I always respond "hi baby."  Now he has taken to repeating me after I say it.  It tickles me to hear him say "hi baybeeee."

5. With this weather, I will soon be releasing my pale-ness upon the world (I keep making up words).  Beware.  I have no shame in my game this year and have decided that healthy skin and a healthy me is a better long-term investment than the short-lived tan.  That doesn't mean I will hide under umbrellas or not lay-out while beaching it up (who am I kidding, moms don't get to lay-out), but I won't spend my entire summer trying to scorch my skin.

Five things on Friday.

1. I can't help myself when people post links to videos.  I have been so guilty of watching them lately and they always make me cry.  Here is the most recent one.  Commence ugly cry.

2. Gideon is saying tons these days and also signing a few things.  It is awesome to have a baby who can somewhat communicate what he wants.  He signs "more" ALL. THE. TIME. now and who am I if I don't give him more of what he wants, right?  He also signs and says "all done" which sounds more like "ah da"  but it is the sweetest.  I really like this whole learning to communicate phase. And let's not even start on how he learned to actually give kisses.

3. We ordered Christmas cards through Minted this year.  I have used Vistaprint and Shutterfly before and Minted was by far the best!  If you click that link, you get $25 off your first purchase of $50 or more.  If you choose to not get the proof it is an additional $10 off your order and they are always running promo codes!  So, we ended up getting $80 worth of cards for $30.  Win in my book, plus they showed up less than three days after I ordered them.

4. Gideon is in the Gerber Photo Search for 2013.  You can click here to vote for him and vote everyday until December 1.  I mean, $50,000 could send him to college.  And we all want that, right? (Once you click the link, just search for him by first name and city so, Gideon and Port Royal!)

5. Our friends had a sweet baby girl on Monday evening.  She is tiny and sweet and precious.  We get to take them a meal tonight, which I am so excited about.  I know how much it meant to us when friends brought us food.